All line rover

[Carlston]

Apart from the obvious gems like Settle/Carlisle, Cumbrian coast line, Cornish and Devon branches etc, are there any further suggestions?
I live in Scotland and have done Kyle, Thurso/wick and west highland line so no point in doing them again.
First class or standard class? Little point I know on the branch lines but is it worth it for example on the night riviera to Penzance and the first class lounges and the food on offer there.
I have a senior railcard and am thinking of a seven day trip, but do not want to exhaust myself sitting on a train all day.
Look forward to your responses!

 

[yorkie]

When are you doing it? Best time is June, for the extended daylight hours.

Are you planning many overnight stays and/or Sleeper journeys? (and if so, berth or seated?)

 

[Carlston]

Thanks for your reply.
Late May/June for the reasons you suggest.
My thought was to come south from Perth on the Inverness sleeper (paying a single to Edinburgh with a berth. I intend to stay in B&Bs and travelodge places apart from maybe one or two nights on the night riviera

 

[Iskra]

1716 Cardiff to Holyhead. Loco hauled and a free posh meal in 1st class. Also if you like fine dining do a Pullman dining service from Paddington (you can do that on a STD ticket. One hidden gem Id recommend is the Lancaster to Skipton/Leeds line if you can squeeze it in. Also the Tyne valley is nice. Both those two are very scenic but not that well known.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Also don't expect to get much sleep on the Night Riveira, but it's still worth doing.

 

[Carlston]

That's very helpful-thanks!

 

[James Wake]

I would agree as a two time All Line Rover club member that being on the trains all day is tiring. I would plan to stop somewhere for some food at least once.

Down my way in Sussex, I can thoroughly recommend a trip on the Mole Valley Line from Victoria to Horsham via Dorking, then the Arun Valley Line down towards Portsmouth or Southampton.

The Heart of Wales Line from Shrewsbury to Swansea via Llandrindod is also exceptionally scenic, and I'm doing it on my next All Line Rover in March.

Also, the Cumbrian Coast class 37 diagrams for loco haulage or loco trailing between Preston/Lancaster/Barrow and Carlisle. See the frequently requested diagrams thread for a list of the diagrams.